Shipping

[az1983]

It's time for an overhaul on one of my flutes and a COA on my picc. I'm being indecisive on which carrier I should use. I'm looking for something quick and safe, but cost effective. Any repair guys out there have a preferrence on a carrier? Also, I just renewed my Clarion policy, so insurance isn't an issue

[cflutist]

I know that Brannen uses Fed-Ex.
Haynes was using UPS.
Neither are cost effective.

[JButky]

The Carrier doesn't matter as much as how you pack the flute. You don't need fancy packing materials either.

The Safest way is a box within a box.

• 1. Make sure your flute fits snugly in it's own case. Shake your case gently side to side and up and down to see if it does. If there is side to side play, some tissue paper on each end will take up the slop. If there is up and down, same procedure but you can limit it to over the barrel and tenons if you are concerned about squashing the keywork.
  
  2. Next line you packing box with lightly crushed newspaper. Flute on top. Crushed paper all around.. tape shut. Alternate if you have bubble wrap, roll the case up in it, tape around, Fold over ends tape lengthwise. (no need for newspaper)
  
  3. Check this box the same way.. Shake it side to side and up and down. Flute should be stable..
  
  4. Next.. Take your larger box, line with lightly crushed newpaper. Place box on top Crushed newspaper all around and on top like before. Packing tape lengthwise on the seam, all the way around..Add another layer on each side of the seam.
  
  5. Finally shake the box again. You should NOT be able to "feel" the flute inside moving back and forth

You can take this box now and throw it against a wall and your flute will be safe against even the infamous fedex and ups guys on videos!

FWIW, This is overkill packaging for the most paranoid of flute shippers. But your flute will be safe unless a truck falls on it.

Edited to include the word NOT!!

[Thunderlily]

The Carrier doesn't matter as much as how you pack the flute. You don't need fancy packing materials either.

The Safest way is a box within a box.

• 1. Make sure your flute fits snugly in it's own case. Shake your case gently side to side and up and down to see if it does. If there is side to side play, some tissue paper on each end will take up the slop. If there is up and down, same procedure but you can limit it to over the barrel and tenons if you are concerned about squashing the keywork.
  
  2. Next line you packing box with lightly crushed newspaper. Flute on top. Crushed paper all around.. tape shut. Alternate if you have bubble wrap, roll the case up in it, tape around, Fold over ends tape lengthwise. (no need for newspaper)
  
  3. Check this box the same way.. Shake it side to side and up and down. Flute should be stable..
  
  4. Next.. Take your larger box, line with lightly crushed newpaper. Place box on top Crushed newspaper all around and on top like before. Packing tape lengthwise on the seam, all the way around..Add another layer on each side of the seam.
  
  5. Finally shake the box again. You should NOT be able to "feel" the flute inside moving back and forth

You can take this box now and throw it against a wall and your flute will be safe against even the infamous fedex and ups guys on videos!

FWIW, This is overkill packaging for the most paranoid of flute shippers. But your flute will be safe unless a truck falls on it.

Edited to include the word NOT!!

Nah, it's not overkill. It's almost exactly the same procedure musicmedic wants people to ship their saxophones, except they don't like them in the case.